Gas Safety Certificate For Landlords
It is essential to remember that only landlords are responsible for ensuring the safety of gas. This is true for landlords who own residential properties as well as those who lease rooms or other holiday accommodation.
Before they can put their homes on the market, landlords must be able demonstrate that the pipework and appliances they have installed in their homes are safe. Gas safety certificates can assist in achieving this.
What is a gas safety certificate?
You must adhere to the law, whether you are a landlord or homeowner, when it comes to maintaining your gas appliances and installations in a good condition. This is why every property owner should obtain their gas safety certificate at least once per year. What is a gas safety certificate? Who needs one?
Gas Safe Certificates, also known by the name Landlord Gas Safety Record are official documents issued by an official Gas Safe engineer who has completed a thorough inspection of the rental property's gas appliances and flues. The engineer will also check that all ventilation passages are in good working order in your rental properties to avoid dangerous carbon dioxide build-up.
The Gas Safe Certificate will detail the results of your annual inspection. It will list all the gas appliances and installations, as well as their make, model, and location in your home. The engineer will then state whether they believe the appliances to be safe to use or not, and will give details of the work that needs to be done to ensure the security of your tenants.
When you receive your Landlord Gas Safety Certificate, you'll have to provide it to your current tenants within 28 days of the service and give it to any new tenants at the beginning of their tenancy. In the event of a delay, it could result in fines, or even criminal prosecution, so it's vital to take your responsibilities seriously.
Even though homeowners don't need a Gas Safety Certificate to live safely, it is still an excellent idea to obtain one each year. This will not just put your mind at ease regarding the state of your heating and gas appliances, but can also help you detect any issues in advance. This can save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
If you're planning to sell your house, the Gas Safety Certificate will prove extremely useful to potential buyers since it can prove that you've taken care of your gas appliances and installations. It also speeds the process of conveyancing since it does not require any additional checks.
Who requires an official certificate of gas safety?
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances and flues within your rental property are safe for your tenants. You'll have to arrange for regular inspections from a Gas Safe registered technician to ensure that everything is functioning properly.
You'll need to give your tenants a copy the Gas Safety Certificate once the inspection is completed. It is recommended that this be completed prior to when your current tenants move in or at the beginning of any new leases. Keep the copy of the document for yourself, as well as records of any maintenance carried out on gas appliances in your home.
Landlords are legally obliged to have their homes inspected for gas safety at a minimum every 12 months. This includes both the landlord's own gas appliances and any appliances that are provided to tenants.
If you are a landlord who does not have a valid certificate of gas safety, you could be subject to massive penalties (upto PS6,000) and legal action from your tenants or even criminal charges. what is a gas safety certificate , however, is that one of your tenants could be injured or killed as a result of malfunctioning appliances in your rental property.
The only people who can carry out a Gas Safety Check are Gas Safe engineers. Only Gas Safe professionals are trained to check, service and test appliances and installations in a safe way. Landlords can verify an engineer's Gas Safe Register registration by looking at their ID card, that has an exclusive hologram.
While it's uncommon for a tenant to deny access to their rental property in order to allow an Gas Safety Check, it is possible to do so. In these cases, it's important for the landlord to explain to the tenant the legal requirement and also that carbon monoxide could be extremely hazardous if not discovered promptly.
If a tenant still won't allow an engineer to enter their home The landlord should consider serving them with a Section 21 notice to end their tenure. This must be accompanied by a description of the reason why they're being removed in the first place, such as not paying rent or serious damage to the property.
How can I obtain a gas safety certification?
A gas safety certificate is essential for landlords to prove that their properties that they rent meet the regulations of the government. Some tenants will not allow a gas engineer to enter their residence for this reason, which is frustrating for landlords. Landlords must try to get the word out to their tenants that gas engineers are not spying and are only required to complete a vital legally-required document. This will reduce the number tenants who are unable to access gas inspections.
The Landlord Gas Safety Record is issued by the gas engineer after he has completed the necessary checks. This is also commonly known as a CP12, which stands for CORGI Proforma 12. CORGI was the Council for Registered Gas Installers until it was replaced by the Gas Safe Register in April 2009.
The landlord must provide their current tenants with a copy this document within 28 days (about four weeks) of the date that the check is completed. The landlord must also provide the new tenant one upon signing the tenancy agreement. The landlord should also make sure that carbon dioxide detectors are installed in every room with fixed combustion appliances, excluding gas cookers. Smoke alarms must be installed on every floor of the property. The HSE website has more details for landlords, including free leaflets and an Approved Code of Practice to Manage Gas Installations and Appliances in a Rental Property.
If a landlord cannot gain access to their property to carry out the necessary gas safety checks, they can apply for a section 21 notice to evict tenants, if necessary. It is important to remember that a notice under section 21 is only served when the landlord has made at least three attempts to gain access for the gas safety check and has kept a record of the attempts. If a landlord fails to follow the proper procedure for entry and tries to expel tenants using unlawful means, they could be accused of harassment and face heavy fines from regulatory bodies.
What is the reason I need a gas safety certificate?
Landlords need to have an approved certificate of gas safety to ensure that the house they rent is safe for tenants. Gas engineers must perform regular checks to ensure all appliances are safe to use. This also means that they should ensure that the gas pipes, appliances and flues are in good working order.
This will stop any fires, accidents, or carbon monoxide poisoning that could result from faulty equipment. Gas Safety Certificates are important for landlords to keep current. They can be penalized if they don't.
Landlords need to show that their annual gas safety test has been carried out on time. You can verify your Gas Safe Register online or request a copy from the engineer that visited the property. The landlord is required to repair any appliances that are dangerous or faulty immediately to protect tenant's safety.
Some landlords may be having difficulty persuading tenants to allow them access the house for gas safety inspections. This can be due to a variety of reasons, including the fact that they believe it's an invasion of privacy or that they are currently in a dispute with their landlord. If this is the case, it's a good idea for the landlord to write an explicit letter stating the reasons why gas safety checks are necessary and what they'll mean. This letter can be sent via recorded delivery and will give the tenant 14 days to respond.
If the tenant continues to refuse to let the landlord access, they should consider taking another step. This might include writing a Section 21 notice or applying to the court for an injunction that will force the tenant to allow access. This is a serious measure that should only be considered only as a last option.